Grace Notes January 2025 for Web

JANUARY 2025

Full Color Online Edition:

Inside. . .

Can I Get a Witness? n every season of the church’s life, we long for spiritual I revival—a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit that transforms hearts, invigorates our worship, and ignites a passion for Jesus in our lives and communities. But, consider this: One of the most powerful ways to spark revival begins with something simple: sharing your testimony.

Throughout Scripture, we see the power of personal testimony. The psalmist declares, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe” (Psalm 107:2). Jesus commissioned a man freed from demonic oppression to “go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19). The early church grew and flourished as ordinary believers bore witness to what Jesus had done in their lives.

Today, our world still desperately needs hope, healing, and direction. People are longing for authenticity—for evidence of God’s presence and power. While sermons, programs, and events play a significant role in God’s work, nothing resonates quite like a personal story. Sharing your testimony isn’t just an encouragement for others; it’s a spiritual discipline that can lead to revival.

Many of us hesitate to share our faith because we feel inadequate or unprepared. Maybe you think: “I’m not a theologian. What if I don’t have the answers?” Sharing your testimony isn’t about knowing every answer; it’s about telling the truth of your experience with God. Your testimony is unique. No one else has walked your exact journey. God has worked in your life in ways that are deeply personal. Sharing your story demonstrates His faithfulness and reminds others that He is active and alive.

Your testimony is also relatable. While people may argue with theological principles or doctrine, it’s difficult to argue with a personal story. When you share how God has worked in your life, it becomes a powerful witness to the reality of His grace.

Finally, sharing your testimony builds bridges. In a divided world, personal stories have the ability to connect us. When you share your struggles, victories, and lessons God has taught you, others can see reflections of their own journeys and feel less alone.

Historically, revivals have often started with small groups of people sharing their personal experiences with God. In the Great Awakening, testimonies of new faith and transformation spread like wildfire, stirring hearts and

drawing others to seek the Lord.

Even in the book of Acts, we see revival sparked by testimonies. After Pentecost, the apostles shared their firsthand experiences of Jesus’ resurrection. The early believers shared their faith with neighbors, friends, and strangers. These simple acts of witness brought thousands into the kingdom of God. When we share our testimonies today, we align ourselves with this powerful legacy. Revival doesn’t always begin with grand gestures; it begins when we open our hearts and allow God’s work in our lives to shine through our words.

If you feel uncertain about sharing your testimony, you’re not alone. Many people find it intimidating at first, but with practice and prayer, it becomes a natural expression of your faith. Here are a few steps to help you get started: 1.

Pray for Guidance – Begin by asking God to show you who needs to hear your testimony and to guide your words.

The Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom and courage to speak at the right time.

2.

Reflect on Your Story – Take time to think about how God has worked in your life. What challenges has He brought you through? How has He answered prayers, provided comfort, or led you in a specific direction? Your testimony doesn’t have to be dramatic to be impactful; it just needs to be honest.

3.

Keep It Simple – Share your story in a way that is clear and relatable. Focus on three main points: your life before Christ, how you encountered Him, and how He has transformed your life since.

4. Be Authentic – Vulnerability is powerful. Don’t be afraid to share struggles, doubts, or ongoing challenges. These elements make your testimony real and relatable.

5. Point to Christ – While your story is unique, the focus should always be on Jesus and His grace. Let your testimony highlight His faithfulness, not just your own efforts.

6. Trust the Results to God – Remember, it’s not your job to change hearts—that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Your role is simply to share what God has done and trust Him with the outcome.

When you share your testimony, you are planting seeds of faith. One conversation can lead to another, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what you can imagine. Someone who hears your story may be encouraged to share their own testimony, sparking revival in their circle of influence.

As a congregation, imagine the impact we could have if each of us committed to sharing our faith stories with just one person. How might God move among us? How might He draw people to Himself through our obedience?

I challenge you to take a step of faith this week. Pray for an opportunity to share your testimony with a friend, family member, or coworker.

Continued on page 3…

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Street Ministry: The Never-Ending Blessing

by Pen Braister-Sturgis

T

he morning after Hurricane Helene, I found myself praising God for sparing our lives, our home, and our neighborhood. Because we had lost our electricity and internet during the storm, I really had no idea how bad everything was in our town or surrounding communities.

Those first few days were a blur. The only images I clearly remember were those I saw while driving our car. It became obvious very quickly that this hurricane devastated our area.

There were downed trees everywhere and power lines all over the roads. It looked like a war zone. It felt as though time stood still in this part of North Carolina. The loss was tremendous.

I vividly remember driving through downtown Asheville, wondering how our homeless friends fared through this devastation, and coming home feeling defeated. How would we continue feeding our homeless friends (we lost many in the flooding) with Manna Food Bank destroyed in the storm? Who’s going to donate sleeping bags and warm clothing for our street friends with so much damage around us? And who’s going to donate for our new homeless – who had never slept in a tent, much less outside in the winter – who were going need blankets, coats, warm clothing, plus replace of all they had lost from their homes?

With all these concerns going through my mind, I answered my cell phone – a number I didn’t recognize.

A friend from my Sabbath School told her friend about our homeless ministry and told her to contact me to see how we could work together helping these new homeless people in our area. All I needed to do was sign up on a FB app “Coats for Appalachia”, and tell them our needs for the new homeless in our area. I told this new group we needed coats, blankets, warm clothing, socks, hats, heaters, and sleeping bags.

Within a few days a gentleman from Ohio responded to my FB request and said he would bring some of the items mentioned above and asked for our church’s address. He planned to stop at a few locations prior to our church,

dropping needed items in those locations. We explained that some of our Arden Street Ministry volunteers were taking items to the Swannanoa area on Sabbath afternoon. He agreed to drop off the donations at our church on that afternoon.

Along the way from Ohio, he had to change two tires on his trailer, which delayed his arrival to our church.

At almost 8 pm, he pulled his trailer into our church parking lot. For the next two hours, five of us helped to move everything out of his trailer. At one point I told the guy, “You know, your trailer reminds me of the Mary Poppins bag.

Things just keep coming out of it.”

Honestly, I couldn’t believe everything he brought us to share with the homeless of Swannanoa. There were over 200 jackets, 270 fleece overalls, countless blankets, 50 brand new sleeping bags, hundreds of brand-new socks, boxes of hats and scarves, 54 propane heaters, and over 30 vacuumed-sealed bags full of clothing. Also they were each labeled by gender and size which made our lives so much easier.

As my husband, Jerry, and I looked at the game room in our church’s basement full of these donations, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Later that evening we learned we had received over $20,000 in donated items. And to think that at one point I was worried that we wouldn’t have any clothes, blankets and sleeping bags for our new homeless friends.

When God pours His blessings into our ministry, it’s never-ending. He does it in His time and uses His resources.

I’m so grateful and thankful for a God who answers our prayers before we even ask Him. Please continue keeping our homeless ministry in your prayers.

We have old homeless to continue feeding in downtown Asheville, and new homeless living by the river in Swannanoa. Just as God provided countless blessings for our street ministry, we will continue being His hands and feet and caring for His brokenhearted sheep. ________________________________________________ Continued from page 2… Trust that God will use your words to bring encouragement, hope, and perhaps even salvation.

Revival begins with us—with our willingness to speak, to listen, and to trust God’s power to work through our testimonies. Let us be bold in declaring His goodness, so that others may come to know the One who has transformed our lives.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Eric

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A New Beginning

by Caddabra Brown edited by Daniel Reynolds

E

xamples of new beginnings in the Bible are plentiful.

From start to finish, the Scriptures tell us stories of real people with real issues. We can learn a great deal from them about what to do when God gives you a new beginning.

The month of January is most associated with new beginnings because in the Gregorian calendar, January is the month that begins the new year. This concept came from Roman mythology, as the Roman god Janus – for whom the month is named – was said to be the god of beginnings and transitions.

Regardless of who claims rights on new beginnings, be sure you give the God of heaven first dibs.

New Beginning: What Is It? Any opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over is a new beginning. It could also be a chance to pick up where you left off in one season of life to start at a more advanced level in another season of life.

A new beginning could be a period of transition. In the Bible, new beginnings usually mean a God-granted opportunity to start again. When God gives you a new beginning, your opportunities will probably not look the same as another person’s. It all depends on each season of your life.

A new beginning can be: Getting baptized, joining a new congregation, starting a degree program, launching a business, getting a promotion, moving to a new city, dating someone new, getting married, having a baby, migrating to a new country, reconnecting with an old friend, changing your diet, or implementing a new exercise program.

While many people use the start of the year for new resolutions, you can determine when you want to start over. The list above has things which are probably not going to happen in January. You can decide to begin working on a goal in the middle of the calendar year if you like. Or maybe as you ponder things on a weekend you can choose to start on Monday. New beginnings are not just for new year resolutions. This is especially true with spiritual new beginnings.

New Beginning: the Spiritual Meaning In the Bible, Jesus talks about being born again. This, of course, isn’t physically possible.

What Jesus actually meant was that our hearts need to be submitted to God so that the Holy Spirit can take control of our lives. You no longer operate as though you are on your own and in charge of your own life.

Through this new birth, your life can be God-directed, leading you to live the full, free, abundant life promised to you in John 10:10.

When you experience a new beginning born of the Holy Spirit, your whole life is affected. It is really very much like you are a newborn baby. You are given a clean slate. In fact, a whole new book! The decisions you make are different. The way you choose to see challenges changes. The events in your life take on new meaning. Your purpose becomes clearer.

Your faith walk becomes more confident.

Throughout your walk with God, you will continue to need the benefit of new beginnings. You will stumble, fall, fail, and make mistakes. That’s where you will need the grace of God to start over each and every time. Spiritual new beginnings do not mean you get everything right the first time around. Rather, it’s a process – one that will take your whole life to perfect. That’s why setting spiritual goals is a great thing to do so you can know exactly what you’re working on each year. There is no point in starting over if you never grow.

But while you are working on all that, know this: there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation. Jesus has done this job already and given you the benefits. Your job is to live, walk, and grow in freedom.

New Beginning: Give Yourself a New Start God sees you as a brand new person once you’ve made the decision to start over. It’s kind of like you’re moving to a whole new country where nobody knows you or anything about you. Once you’ve turned a new leaf with God, don’t walk in guilt and fear. God has your back. Walk in confidence that God does not hold your past against you.

If God has given you a second chance, you should probably give yourself one, too. You don’t have the right to judge yourself. “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything” 1 John 3:20.

When God gives you an opportunity to start a new life, grasp it with all you have in you. Hold on to it with confidence. Don’t allow the appearance of the situation to frighten you away from your blessings. Otherwise, it might take you longer to accomplish what God has set out to do for you and in you

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and through you. Lots of wasted years.

You will have to work hard and fight just like the Israelites eventually had to do [when they captured the promised land of Canaan]. But you are not alone. The blessing of your new beginning is beyond the battle. God promises His comfort for hard times and His victory for your battles.

New Beginning: Work With God On Yourself When God gives you a second chance, take time to work on yourself. Go on a retreat. Get into a quiet place. Be more silent. Spend time in the Word. Reflect. Journal. Get therapy.

Revamp your meal choices. Read books. Go on a journey of transformation. Set spiritual goals.

So, when God is good and ready for you to fulfill your calling, you will have been doing the work of preparation. Make no mistake, the new start God has given you is not just for you; it’s for others who are waiting to be released from their own shackles based on the work you will do with them. The whole point of our Christian walk is to disciple others.

As you start a new journey, make better decisions that you can be proud of. That will bring positive fruits that God can support. Engage in behaviors that will grow your faith, finances, relationships, health, and career.

New Beginning: Resurrect Your Devotional Life Starting over is a great time to start a gratitude journal. It’s also an even better time to rekindle or start a devotional life.

Work on growing your faith by setting some faith goals. Start small. Read a Psalm a day. Or a simple devotional. Or start using a structured way of reading and studying your Bible. Set up and cue a playlist of your favorite praise and worship songs.

“Draw close to God and He will draw close to you” James 4:8. He’s always ready to help you start again, no matter how many times you have strayed or fallen.

New Beginning: However It Looks, Do Your Best New beginnings don’t always come on a red carpet or in a box nicely wrapped with a bow on top. Sometimes they can actually look like taking a step back. You might have been disappointed by being passed up for a promotion. Maybe you got demoted instead of promoted. It’s possible that due to circumstances, you have to give up a well-paying job to settle for something that’s at half or one-third the pay. Perhaps you got married only to realize that things are not what you expected them to be.

“Be faithful with little things and . . .” Luke 16:10. Whatever your hands are doing now, give it your absolute best shot (Eccl. 9:10). Go the extra mile even when you don’t feel like it.

Do whatever you need to do to keep yourself encouraged and motivated. While you are there, find out what skills God would have you learn from the situation. And in the same breath, find a way to use your gifts to serve someone.

Knowing that this new beginning that seems like it holds

no promise might just be a huge steppingstone to something massive. God might be using this season to prepare you for it.

Don’t miss your opportunity to get yourself ready. Remember, Joseph eventually became prime minister of the very place where he was enslaved. Every single experience which led him there, prepared him because he was faithful at every stage.

New Beginning: Be Sure To Share Your Testimony Someone is waiting to be challenged, touched, inspired, charged, changed by your story of how God picked you up and set you on a new path. They need to hear your story to know that God is in the business of new beginnings. They need to know that it’s never too late to start over.

When God gives you a new season, make it your goal to tell others. It doesn’t have to be on a huge platform either. You don’t need YouTube, a pulpit, Instagram or Twitter. Share it with a classmate, a coworker, the woman at the grocery store, while you wait for service. Write it and submit it to a devotional for publishing or for an online magazine. It’s not just your story only. It’s God’s story, too. Share it.

One note of caution: if your story is one that involves trauma, be sure you have healed from it before you share.

Learn first to tell your story from a place of power.

New Beginning: Final Words If you look up drawings of Janus [the Roman God for which January is named], you will notice there are two faces, one looking to the left, one looking to the right. That is to mean, one is looking back at the past and one is looking forward to the future.

If you are going to start a new beginning with God, you need to close the door on the past. Yes, you should look at it. Yes, you should reflect on it. But no, you should not dwell on it. And you should absolutely not take it with you.

Your past only serves the purpose of motivating you to move forward. That’s it. Someone said you should never waste your time looking back because that’s not the direction in which you are moving. They were right. Your old life is gone and the new has come (2 Corinth. 5:17). God says you are new. And that’s all you need to know.

Adapted with permission from The Faith Space. Find the full article at www.thefaithspace.com/new-beginnings-in-the-bible/

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28 Fundamentals:

Experience of Salvation #10 P

awpaw (grandfather, Albert Broot) was sitting at his desk when Mark stepped into the light of the desk lamp and leaned against the doorframe. “You got in late last night.”

“Yes.” Pawpaw held his forehead in his hands, elbows on the desk.

Mark tilted his head to one side. “You were on a trip somewhere?”

“Yes. Texas.” Pawpaw spoke quietly without turning, “I went to my brother’s funeral.” Pawpaw looked up. “Did you know him?”

“Not really. I met him once or twice.” Mark rested his left hand on his hip. “What happened to him?”

“Life. Viet Nam. But other things before Nam. Other . . . choices.”

“Pawpaw, you’re not making sense.”

Pawpaw turned his desk chair around to face Mark, his face a mask of sadness, regret, and heartache. No tears, but a face of great loss.

“Pawpaw, are you alright?”

“I will be.” Pawpaw motioned Mark to the tall, wing-backed chair. Pawpaw took a deep breath. “Tell me, Mark, when did God’s plan of salvation begin . . . how far back?”

“From the foundation of the world, Pawpaw, according to Ephesians 1:4.”

“And how do we learn about this plan?”

“We hear it from the Word, Pawpaw, Romans 10:17, probably from a preacher or an evangelist.” Mark sat forward. “Is this a test?”

Pawpaw shook his head, reaching out, taking Mark’s hand in his left hand, patting with his right hand. “No, no. I’m just trying to process.” Pawpaw sat back and took a deep breath.

“I know how this works, Pawpaw.” Mark sat forward, his fingers intertwined, arms resting on his knees. “I went through it myself last year. I always knew – from the time I was small – what God wanted me to do. And I chose to accept His plan and follow Him.” “Did it work out for you?” Pawpaw was listening intently to the grandson he loved.

“No, it didn’t.”

“Really?” Pawpaw was startled. “What happened?”

Mark looked up to meet his grandfather’s eyes. “I discovered that I can’t . . . you know, what Paul says, that we can want to, but we can’t do it. I wanted to.” Mark lowered his head. “And I discovered that I couldn’t – I didn’t follow Him. And I had to decide that I needed help.”

Mark looked up again, tears in his eyes, talking more rapidly.

“I was so sorry. I did something I’m not proud of.” Mark’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I didn’t want to – but I hurt someone and I was really sorry.”

“So, what did you do, Mark?”

“I repented, of course. I prayed and told God just how sorry I was. I asked Him to forgive me, to please help me never, ever to do it again.” Mark paused and blew out a burst of air from puffed cheeks, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I surrendered to God.” “Why did you think that would work?” Pawpaw waited for the answer he hoped was coming.

“Because God promised.” Mark smiled despite his wet eyes. “’By grace are you saved through faith.’ And I have faith that God will do what He says He will do.” Mark sniffed and swallowed. “And I accepted God’s gift of the Lamb – you know, the one Abraham talked about: ‘God will provide His own Lamb.’ I accepted God’s gift of His Lamb – Jesus Christ – to cover my sin.”

“Being born again. A new start.” Pawpaw smiled with his grandson. “The Hebrew word for forgiveness means to carry a burden.”

“You told me, Pawpaw.” Mark chuckled. “And He did carry it . . . still does, I guess.”

Pawpaw’s smile disappeared. “If I offer to give you $100, is it yours?”

“Not until I accept it and put it in my bank account.”

“Exactly,” Pawpaw nodded slowly. “My brother chose not to accept God’s gift.”

“He did?” Mark began to understand his Pawpaw’s quiet mood.

“Yes.” Pawpaw slowly lowered his head to stare at his hands. “I tried to tell him.

Our sister tried to convince him. He almost did – several times.

“She said that at an evangelistic meeting, he gripped the pew in front of him until his knuckles turned white. He had tears streaming down his face. But he refused to get up and go forward. He refused to surrender. He told me later that he had never surrendered to anyone and wasn’t about to start now.”

“Why, Pawpaw? He wanted to.”

“Life. Anger with our father. Refusing to give in to authority figures. So very sad.”

“I’m sorry, Pawpaw.” Mark reached out and held his grandfather’s hand as Pawpaw’s tears quietly slipped down his beard and dripped onto his rumpled pajamas.

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Xerxes and Esther: Part XIII hile the Hamana slept with triumphant and W savage dreams of Marduka’s dead body bowing down from a towering pole on the morrow, Khshayarsha’s sleep eluded him. His mind kept ranging, seeking—among other things—the answer to a riddle: what was Esetare’s true request? Hadn’t she helped him escape assassination before? Was a life in danger again?

Was she bringing another warning? Was there some clue in the previous event?

It was at the darkest hour of the night, but several of the King’s eunuchs were always in attendance, no matter the time. He called out for one to wake a scribe and bring to his chamber “the scroll of remembrance and events of the days.”

Eventually, a bleary-eyed scribe appeared with the scroll of records from the correct time and stood before the king with two burning braziers illuminating the words. He began reading and was presently recounting the plot of Bigthan and Teresh to lay hands upon Khshayarsha. He read how the queen made it known to the king, as soon as she received the report from the King’s Gate official Marduka.

“Wait,” interrupted Khshayarsha.

“Perhaps this may shed some light upon my queen’s request. What order did we give to heap honor on this Marduka for uncovering the scheme and making the report which saved my life?”

The scribe searched through the scroll to find the answer but found nothing. Amidst the tension, fear, and quick events of the time, an oversight had occurred and nothing had been done to honor Marduka.

Time had passed and now dawn streaked the sky. The king sat up straight, with a determined look in his eye. “I know it is early,” Khshayarsha said, “but are any of my advisors already in the courtyard?”

As it happened, O Reader, the Hamana, pleased with himself, had bestirred himself early and was waiting eagerly in the courtyard for the king’s own rising. The self-styled “Magnificent One” could hardly contain himself to ask the king for the death—today!—of that

insolent Jew, Marduka.

“His majesty is calling for you,” a eunuch motioned to the Hamana, who entered the king’s chambers, bowing before Khshayarsha.

“I’ve been thinking,” said Khshayarsha, “what should be done for a man whom the king wishes to honor?”

Having risen so high and having dined privately just yesterday with both the emperor and Queen Esetare, the Hamana’s pride was as deep as the Great Sea and his ego as boundless as the Southern Desert. He was about to annihilate Marduka, free all Persia from that man’s troublesome tribe, and reach the pinnacle of his career.

Surely there was none that Khshayarsha wished to honor more than he!

“Well,” said the Hamana, trying to act deferential even while his heart was swelling with self-regard, “there could be no greater honor than for that man to be clothed, your Majesty, in your own service and authority.

To share your own splendor with him would be the most complete honor of all. Dress that man you wish to honor in royal robes of the kingdom, which you yourself have worn. Set him on the very horse you ride. And place on his head the emperor’s turban of absolute dominion.

Have your high nobles lead this honored man, riding upon your steed, through the open plaza and public square of Shushen, and let them shout as they go, so that everyone takes note: ‘As he serves the king, he becomes more like the king! Khshayarsha shares his own glory and authority with his favored faithful servant. Thus is done for the man whom the patron king delights to honor!’”

“Magnificent!” observed the king. “The man who saved my very life deserves all that you have said, and more. You are my highest noble, so I give you this charge: Go at once, waste no time. Take my robes of office, proceed to my stables and procure one of my own mounts, do not leave out anything you have said. To the letter, fulfill this outstanding tribute for the honored servant who sits at the Gate of the King, Mordecai the Jew. Lead him through the streets of Shushen and proclaim before him: ‘This is what is done to the man whom Khshayarsha delights to honor!’”

Satisfied, the king turned away, pleased that he could correct this slight to Marduka and looking forward to telling Esetare all about it at her second banquet that evening.

The Hamana also turned, but toward the doorway, seething inside at the indignity of this topsy-turvy order.

Publicly exalt the very man whom he was about to destroy? He burned with shame and rage but vowed to himself that his ultimate revenge would be all the greater when he finally snuffed out the life of this insufferable Marduka.

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Cancer Therapy on the Horizon O

ne of the most difficult diseases to treat is the allencompassing category of Cancer. Heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary defects, vitamin deficiencies, even some auto-immune diseases have given up some or most of their secrets: their causes and their chemical, metabolic, or physiologic derangements. And specific therapies can address or correct these abnormalities. But cancer defies description.

Without an understanding of its cause or basic cellular or metabolic derangement, specific therapies cannot be designed to target the causes or specific derangements.

Therefore, the treatment of cancer has been pragmatic: cut it out if it’s a solid tumor, stamp it out with chemicals if it’s a blood cancer, or poison it with chemicals or burn it with radiation if it’s inoperable.

Operations have to be very carefully delineated to remove only the tumor but not healthy tissue. However, cancer can be enmeshed in the healthy tissue (like pancreatic cancer) or hidden in deep recesses of the body (like brain tumors and eye tumors) making surgical removal impossible.

Because cancer cells are so similar to healthy tissue, finding chemotherapies that destroy cancerous cells but not healthy cells is extremely difficult. Because cancers grow rapidly, chemotherapies are designed to target rapidly growing cells. But many cells of the body rapidly grow: red cells of the blood, white cells of bone marrow and other immune system organs (i.e., spleen, liver, lung), the hair/nails of the skin, and the lining of the gut. Therefore, these chemotherapies cause all too familiar side effects that become the common experience of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy – and their families. Radiation that destroys the cellular structure of cancer cells, also destroys cells of other tissues through which the radiation passes getting to cancer cells. When radiation is focused on a cancer target from several directions, the damage to cancer cells can be much greater with lesser damage to surrounding healthy tissue. But damage is still a major limiting effect of radiation.

In the last 40 years, advancements have been made fighting against the elusive monster of cancer. White cells – the soldiers of the body – are designed to find and destroy foreign invaders: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancers. These invaders

have proteins on the surface of their cells not usually found in the human body. White B-cells attach chemicals called antibodies to the foreign proteins to form antigens that attract white T-cells. The T-cells, using these antigens as “handles,” attach to these “marked” cancer cells and destroy them.

But cancer cells being so similar to healthy cells, white cells have difficulty in recognizing cancer cells as invaders.

Advances in immunology – recognizing how “invader-ism” works – have given rise to more targeted immune markers that have been extremely effective in some blood cancers.

One of the newest therapies is Chimeric Antigen ReceptorT cell – CAR-T cell therapy. Basically, the patient’s T-cells are collected and subjected to genetic modification by adding a gene to the T-cell’s DNA. These modified CAR-T cells now recognize the “foreign” proteins on the cancer cell surface, attach to these “handles,” and destroy them. This modality has been especially effective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Bcell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. This therapy is currently being adapted to other blood cancers and other easy-to-reach solid tumors.

Theranostics (or theragnostics) – another field of advancing cancer therapy – pairs two tools of diagnosis and treatment into a team therapy approach. The growing field of diagnostic imaging, like CT, MRI, PET scans, SPECT scans, creates pictures and 3-D images that determine the specific size, shape, and location of cancers.

Then, radiation “seeds” are placed next to the cancer on multiple sides that irradiate the tumor but cause minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Or, external ionizing radiation of various types are more accurately focused from multiple directions from outside the body (exposing “pass through” tissues to much less radiation) to target cancer cells with high levels of radiation. This therapy is especially effective in cancers inside an organ – like the prostate – before the cancer metastasizes into the rest of the body.

A third cancer treatment especially for hardto-treat brain cancer is Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). For 75 years, this therapy has been only theoretical, specifically to place the element boron inside cancerous brain cells. Boron loves to collect stray neutrons into its atomic structure. This modified boron breaks down into helium and lithium which destroys the cancer cell. Investigative chemists are making advances in how best to insert boron into the cancerous brain cells only, not into healthy cells. When a stream of neutron radiation is aimed at the brain, the neutrons are taken up only in the cancer cells and they are destroyed. Not yet practical, this is the new horizon of brain cancer treatment.

If you should develop the need for cancer therapy, ask your physician if any of these therapies is applicable to your case.

You could become part of a study or trial that could save your life.

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A.M.E.N.

by Tom Arany

work that will grow and deepen until the whole earth is filled with His glory.”

Last month this column spotlighted ASI (The AdventistLaymen's Services & Industries organization.) Although not a direct affiliate of the General Conference of SDA (Seventhday Adventists), AMEN is one of the ASI members. AMEN is a network of Adventist medical professionals in many places in the world and exists to equip primarily physicians and dentists and other healthcare professionals to be effective medical evangelists through: 1) Inspiring healthcare professionals to share Christ in their medical experience whenever possible. This may happen by offering to pray with the patient/client. The professional might point the patient to the power of God to work together with the professional and the patient to heal – whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or some other need.

The professional may lead the patient to a more healthful lifestyle and to the encouragement available in the church family. They may offer spiritually healthful literature and follow-up support focused on many different areas that will enable the patient to grow spiritually through continuing wellness practices.

2) Connecting healthcare professionals A) through its annual conference (next conference is October 30-November 2, 2025 in Hilton Head Island, SC). B) AMEN also offers a mentorship program, details of which may be found by contacting the organization at the address(es) shown at the end of this article.

3) Providing Christ-centered medical evangelism resources. These resources are to help the practitioner grow in their abilities to develop their skills and to become comfortable in putting “into use the practices” mentioned above.

4) Uniting with local congregations to offer free dental, vision, and medical outreach clinics. To better accomplish this AMEN has mobile dental and vision “clinics” that may be used to bring specialized equipment to the local area. These resources are especially needed because the insurance that many persons use and depend on to cover standard medical examinations does not include dental or optical coverages.

5) Supplying follow-up resources for use by the church for personal contact with participants in the free clinic or other medical care.

For membership or other information contact: AMEN (Adventist Medial Evangelism Network), P.O. Box 2528, Greenville, TN 37744. phone: 530-883-8061. website: amensda.org

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In the Darkest Hour – Hope

by Max Hammonds

ow may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace N in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 No medical condition causes fear quite like the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer is quite common, actually. Everyone has cancer – an excessively overactive, even deadly growth of normal body tissue which threatens to derail the usual growth processes, consume all energy, and eventually destroy the human. But the white cells of the immune system – the soldier cells – are on constant guard against the invasion of outside foreign material, like viruses, bacteria, and fungi and against the multiplication of cancer cells internally. Every day the white cells recognize these abnormal growths as “not me” and destroy them – most of the time.

When the immune system is weakened – by lack of sleep, by chronic overwork, by serious or longstanding illness or when the system no longer functions optimally in older age, the white cells do not function as they should – and cancer is not detected and not destroyed as a result. (For more details, see the Health Article this month.)

One of the most difficult of medical specialties is oncology – cancer therapy. For physicians in this specialty, treatment therapies are not hard to understand or prescribe.

But the need to be constantly upbeat with patients who are not getting better and the difficulty in explaining to patients that they are going to get a few more months of life, not a few more years, is as hard on the physician as it is on the patients.

Now comes the story of two oncologists comparing notes on the treatment of their cancer patients. Both used the same drugs, the same dosages, and the same criteria for treatment. But one oncologist’s success rate was 22%. And the other oncologist’s success rate was 74%.

Both used what was then the standard combination of

drugs: Etoposide, Platinol, Oncovin, and Hydroxyurea, commonly referred to as E.P.O.H. The oncologist with the 22% success rate told his patients he was giving them EPOH. But the oncologist with the 74% success rate told his patients he was giving them HOPE. He emphasized how this combination of medicines gave them a good chance for survival, because having HOPE has an incredible effect on how well a patient recovers. Not having HOPE had an equal effect on a patient – for the worst.

But even more deadly is another kind of cancer – the Cancer of Sin. From the Fall of our earliest forebears – Adam and Eve, we are all susceptible to, and very quickly develop this deadly condition. We all have our “soldiers” guarding us against this deadly malady: God’s Holy Word, our angels who guard and protect us every day, and our parents and elders who are aware of this condition and who warn us of the dangers of this deadly situation and inform us of the available cure.

Unfortunately, our soul’s “soldiers” can also be made weaker and ineffective by sleeping through their warnings, by overworking to gain the approval of the world, and by repeated ignoring their presence in our lives.

Fortunately, we also have HOPE. We have God the Word (John 1:1) who set aside His god-ness (Phil 2:6, 7), took on human flesh (John 1:14) as Jesus the Christ, and became our “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24). We also have God the Holy Spirit, promised to us by Jesus (John 14:16, 17). Through His power (Eph. 3:16), we are convinced of our need for a Savior (John 16:8), empowered to grow in love (Eph. 4:11-16), and prepared to partake of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3, 4).

And finally, we have God the Father who loved us and sent His Son to die for us (1 John 4:10), and Who sent the Holy Spirit to mentor us (John 14:16, 17), transform us (Rom. 12:2), and grow our characters to be like Him (1 John 4:16, 17).

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are our Heavenly Operators to Procure Eternity (HOPE). Therefore, we are “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:13, 14).

Having HOPE has an incredible effect on how soon and how well we recover from the pain and suffering of Sin. And not having HOPE has an equal and opposite effect on us – for the worst. Ask fervently, seek earnestly, knock urgently on the door of the HOPE Trio of Heaven. They are eagerly waiting to answer your request – for HOPE.

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Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church Is a Safe Place to Grow.

Our family focus this month features Andrew (Drew) and Alyssa Tryon. They joined the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church in the spring of 2024.

Drew was born in Wildwood, Georgia. His father was a doctor, and they moved around a lot while he was growing up. When Drew was nine years old, his father opened his own practice in western North Carolina. He has one older sister, one younger brother, and one younger sister. Drew attended the Arden SDA Church during this time.

Alyssa was born and raised in San Diego, California. She and her family lived outside San Diego out in the country. She has one younger sister and one younger brother.

Drew attended Captain Gilmer School, Fletcher Academy, and also attended Andrews University majoring in Architecture design. Alyssa attended Ramona Elementary School, Olive Peirce Middle, and Ramona High School all in San Diego County. She received her Associate Degree in Architectural Drafting from a community college.

Drew has worked as an architectural designer for twenty-six years, doing residential design of homes, commercial work, and a large auditorium. Alyssa’s Dad did landscape construction, and she worked with him for ten years. She has worked in landscape design for eighteen years. Since being married, Drew and Alyssa own their own business – Design Lab 314 – working in Arizona, primarily in the Sedona and Phoenix areas. She does drafting work and landscape design for the properties in Arizona that she and Drew work on together.

Drew and Alyssa met 6 ½ years ago in an “Emotional Intelligence” course in San Diego.

He was taking the course and she was a “coach” for the class. They have been married for four years and have a two year-old son named Theo. They are also expecting another baby in June, 2025! Drew has a twenty-one year-old daughter, Kait, from a previous marriage.

While living in Phoenix, Arizona, their son Theo would crawl to the door, wanting to go outside where it could be 120 degrees. They decided that Phoenix was just too hot and large for them and moved to western North Carolina area where his parents live. Drew said Arden church member Cari Hammonds was his “adoptive” mother (she didn’t really adopt him but was close to him) and was so sweet and supportive of him over the years. He wanted to be closer to her also.

Their hobbies are hiking, camping, backpacking, drawing, painting – and he enjoys rock climbing. They have enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, San Diego, California and Phoenix, Arizona.

Raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, Drew felt he had drifted away from God. He said COVID was a wakeup call which brought him back to God – for which he is thankful.

Alyssa was brought up with Christian values and morals, but without God at the center.

When she met Drew, she wanted to know more about the Adventists whom she did not know and started asking Drew questions. His answers about what Adventists believe made sense to her. She took a Bible study class with Pastor Paul Blake of the Paradise Valley SDA Church in Arizona where Drew was a member, learning about the Sabbath and other SDA beliefs. She joined the Paradise Valley SDA Church, when she was baptized three years ago.

They decided to visit a few Adventist churches in our area but came back to Arden, feeling it was a good fit. They feel Arden has so much for children and young people and felt it would be good for Theo. They take Theo to the Beginner Sabbath School led by Carisa Belanger. Drew also teaches in the Earliteen Class. Both are on the social committee.

We are so happy the Tryons have joined the Arden church, and we welcome them to the Arden church family.

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Our Purpose is, by God’s Grace, to reflect His character in our community, to demonstrate a quality of life that will attract all to be reconciled to Jesus Christ, and to encourage people to become His loving, maturing disciples.

Grace Notes Editorial Staff: Max Hammonds ...............................................Editor Chris Small.................................................Columnist Jean Davey..................................................Columnist Max Hammonds ..................Reporter & Columnist Pen Braister-Sturgis ..................................... Reporter Sara McCord ................................................. Reporter Dan Reynolds ............................................... Reporter Arizona McCord ............... Reporter & Proofreader Chris Small ..................................... Special Graphics Jim & Carolyn Sullenberger ................Proofreaders Nolan Darnell ........................ Mailing Management Shirley Wallstrom ...................Circulation Manager Whitney Barron .................................Layout Design Comments, suggestions and praises are always welcome. Please email or contact the church office.

Services each Saturday morning: Sabbath School Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.

Location: 35 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704 Located on Highway 280, (Airport Road), 1.5 miles east of I-26 exit 40, and a quarter mile west of Highway 25.

Church Office: Office Manager: Whitney Barron Telephone: (828) 684-6700 Email: office@ardenadventist.org Website: www.ardenadventist.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Arden Adventist Pastoral Staff: Senior Pastor: Eric Bates, D. Min. Email: ebates@carolinasda.org Associate/Youth Pastor: Rich Maskelony, M .Div. Email: rmaskelony@carolinasda.org Grace Notes is published monthly by the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church. Subscription is free by calling or emailing the office. †Do you have questions about what Adventists believe? Would you like to become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Would you like to study the Bible? You are invited to attend a Pastor’s Bible Study Class. Please call for location and time. All are always welcome. † Disclaimer—The contents of Grace Notes, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained in this magazine of the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the use of specific medical or Lifestyle Medicine interventions, or about questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of information published in this magazine. Neither Grace Notes nor the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in published articles.

Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

If you have a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider or 911 immediately.

ALONE, NOT LONELY We were created for community, and nothing so upsets us as required isolation from the people who bring color, warmth, and hope into our lives.

Cook Time: 20 minutes

The world has quickly grown uncomfortably, unhappily too small.

Serving size: About 1 cup

INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp - Extra virgin olive oil

We huddle with our loved ones and thank God that we seem healthy.

1 Cup- Carrots, chopped

But each of us knows stories, now coming dangerously close, of illness, 1 medium onion, chopped

fear, and existential panic.

1 1/2 tsp- Chopped garlic

Suddenly, we miss the colleague who so regularly annoyed us; the 3 Cups- Water

relative who made inconvenient, unannounced visits; the friendly patter 1 28-oz. can low-sodium tomatoes, cut up

when we met our neighbors in the market or on the street. The sights 1 15-oz. can low-sodium kidney beans, drained

and sounds, the rhythms and routines of life a month ago were oddly 1 15-oz. can low-sodium black beans, drained

comforting when we could safely take them all for granted.

1 15-oz. can low-sodium pinto beans, drained

And time—there seems to be too much of it; open, unplanned, unsure 1 15-oz. can whole kernel corn, no salt added, drained

hours when thoughts turn endlessly to wondering: What if? What 1 6-oz. can tomato paste, no salt added

outcome? And what then?

“I will never leave you nor forsake you,” the Father said to Israel

1 Tbsp- Dijon mustard 1 tsp- Pepper (optional)

(Joshua 1:5). “Remember, I am with you always,” the Son promised His

1 tsp- Ground cumin

disciples. (Matthew 28: 20). “You know Him,” Jesus said of the Spirit,

1 tsp- Dried oregano

“because He abides with you, and He will be in you” (John 14:17). Eternal

1 tsp- Dried basil

love still holds us.

1 tsp- Chili powder

There is no better company than Father, Son, and Spirit. Held and

Liquid smoke, to taste (1 to 2 dashes)

healed, warmed, enlightened, we can weather any crisis, any quandary,

1 Cup- Chopped zucchini

any virus.

DIRECTIONS In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté chopped carrots, onions and garlic until tender.

So stay in grace.

Bill Knot

In a large pot, combine sautéed vegetable mixture with remaining ingredients, except the zucchini. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Stir in zucchini and simmer covered for 10 minutes more.

Page 12 | www.ArdenAdventist.org

BiBle AlphABet Stew Insert a different letter of the alphabet into each of the 26 empty boxes to form words of five or more letters reading across. The letter you insert may be at the beginning, the end, or in the middle of the word. Each letter of the alphabet will be used only once. Cross off each letter in the list as you use it. All the letters in each row are not necessarily used in forming the word. Use the Bible clue (NASB) when you are stuck, but NOT before you have gone through the entire list.

Example: In the first row across we have inserted the letter U to form the word MURDER.

ABCDEF GHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ D E C L O M U R D E R B Y (Ex. 20:13) I M P R O P ___ E C Y T H M (Dan. 9:24) S I N U R E ___G N E D R A (1 Sam. 13:1) B A G S A B ___ A T H E N S (Neh. 10:31) I B R A N S ___ E R O N D I (Psa. 27:7) T Y B O N E ___H O R T U S (1 Cor. 4:16) M E M B E R ____L I D E N T (Eze. 1:16) R S I M B A ____T I S M E N (Mark 1:4) D B U G J U ____G M E N T R (Luk. 11:32) M O I S T U ____ B L E A D S (Isa. 8:15) Q U B E W A ____E C K O R M (Mat. 6:1) L G R A M A ____E D M A N P (Joh. 3:7) P R K E X R ____ E E P S E A (Deu. 7:9) S L I M I N ____ O C E N T B (Jer. 2:35) W A P O P E ____ C E M E N D (Hag. 2:9) P O L A M A ____ E S T Y R O (1 Chr. 29:11) C R E M A L ____ R O S S P J (Num. 35:10) K R U L A C ____ U I R E A R (Pro. 4:5) D R U W O R ____ H I P T U N (Zec. 14:16) V S T A F F ____ C T I O N H (1The. 2:8) I G R A C O ____ E T O U S M (Eph. 5:5) F A C T O N ____ U E O S O R (Jam. 3:5) D I M A D E ____ I L E A R N (Lev. 18:30) R A M B E H ____ L D Y S O K (Amo. 8:11) B R O W R A ____ H E S T L Y (Hab. 3:2) I B A L S A ____ V A T I O N (2 Sam. 22:3) Page 13 | www.ArdenAdventist.org

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“Since this is the means by which we are to receive the power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer petition to God.” Acts of the Apostles p. 50